Textile spindle brakes



April 14, 1964 J. w. HAMMoND 3,128,591

TEXTILE SPINDLE BRAKES Filed Jan; so, 1963 K7/nfs Hf. Han/10M? United States Patent 3,128,591 TEXTILE SPINDLE BRAKES .lames W. Hammond, Mentor, Uhio, assigner to Curtiss- Wright Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed dan. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 254,982 8 Claims. (Cl. 57-88) This invention relates to above title-indicated-mechanism and particularly to an improved internal brake for a spindle, thus indicating the principal object.

The invention further includes a self-contained, simple and effectual braking mechanism, particularly for operation on an internal surface of a spindle blade whorl; such a mechanism which can be actuated by easily accomplished movement on the part of an attendant or operator in either of two directions; such a mechanism having self-equalizing braking action so as not to impart one-sided or unbalanced forces transversely of the spindle blade; such a mechanism having a few simple easily manufactured and readily accessible parts capable of being inexpensively serviced and/or replaced; a self-contained spindle braking unit wherein all the working parts are adequately protected against accumulation of dirt, lint or fly, and an improved spindle braking mechanism or unit operable without substantial modification so that the braking elements (eg. brake shoes) remain in braking position upon operation of the actuator or will be returned automatically to off or non-braking position when that is desired.

Objects and features not indicated by the above will become apparent from the following description of the preferred forms shown in the drawings. The essential characteristics are summarized in the claims.

In the drawing FIG. l is a fragmentary partly central sectional view showing a spindle bolster case and blade assembly with the brake hereof installed thereon.

FIG. 2 is a principally transverse sectional or plan view taken as indicated at the line 2 2 on FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 showing the braking mechanism in an on or braking condition.

FIG. 4 is a detail sectional View taken along the line 4-4 on FIG. l.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view taken as though at Sx-Sx on FIG. l but showing a modification of the present brake mechanism for limiting the operating move- .n ment of the actuator member (shown in broken lines),

and, selectively or interchangeably, for returning the actuator member from braking to non-braking position.

In FIGS. l and 2 a typical bolster case assembly is indicated at A arranged to support a blade assembly B, partially shown, including a blade member l0 and whorl 1l suitably xed thereto. The bolster case has a mounting flange or flange portion 12 on its tubular case portion 14 cooperating as usual with a clamping nut assembly i7 to secure the spindle assembly as on a rail diagrammatically indicated 15.

The whorl 11 has a more or less conventional drivingband-engaging tubular portion 16 below which the whorl is annularly enlarged to provide a circular smooth internal drum surface 18 dened in part by an integral end wall portion 19. In heavy duty spindle constructions such as intended to be illustrated, the bolster case flange I2 usually supports a releasable whorl retainer shown as a plunger type device 20.

The braking unit 25 hereof is supported on the generally dat top face 12a of the flange 12. The brake unit 25 is supported transversely of the spindle blade axis by a generally cylindrical neck portion 22 of the bolster case which portion extends inside the band engaging portion 3,128,591 Patented Apr. 14, 1964 16 of the whorl and supports a suitable upper spindle bearing diagrammatically indicated at 23.

The brake unit 25 includes a pair of arcuate identical mutually complementary brake shoe members 26 of suitably hard tough and high wear resisting material, preferably non-metallic, which can be molded or pressed or machined into the desired shape. The peripheral braking surfaces 28 of the shoes lie close to the drum surface 18 of the whorl 11 normally concentric therewith as in FIG. 2. The circumferential extremities or end faces 29 of the shoes are shown as lying closely adjacent to each other in FIG. 2.

The actuator or actuator member, generally designated 30, comprises as shown a generally at or plate-like body portion 31 overlying and resting upon the top face 12a of bolster case 12 and having an upright generally cylindrical sleeve portion 32 journalled for angular movement about the axis of the spindle blade `as on the outer cylinder surface of the neck portion 22 of the bolster case, and further having an operating arm portion 33 extending for example forwardly 0f the spindle rail 15. For manipulation of the actuator 30 the extension 33 may have a tab or handle portion 33a integral therewith. If the actuator member 30 is made of sheet metal the manipulating portion 33a can conveniently be a folded portion of the blank from which the member 30 is formed.

The brake shoes 26 are slidably movable on the flat top face of the body 31 of the actuator member 30 and in the normal position of the actuator member the shoes are held in slightly spaced relationship to the drum surfaces 18 partially by a pair of opstanding pins 35 on the actuator member lying between the circumferential extremities of the brake shoes as in mating (eg. semi-cylindrical) guide troughs 36 intersecting the end faces 29. To hold the shoes yieldably in the FIG. 2-illustrated position an annular tension spring 38 (shown as a so called garter spring or essentially continuous helical coil) occupies respective portions of circumferential grooves 39 intersecting the surfaces 28 of the brake shoes. The garter spring holds the two ends of each of the brake shoes in mating contact with the upstanding pins 35 while the brake unit is in o or inactive position.

If the actuator 30', FIG. 5, is made as a metal casting or of powdered metal then it is preferable to provide coplanar or diametrical ange formations 35x (one shown) on the sleeve portion 32x thereof extending between the end faces 29x of the shoes 26x for circumferential abutment therewith. In that case the brake shoes are somewhat shorter circumferentially and of course without provision of the recesses 36 of FIG. 3.

As shown by FIGS. l, 2 and 4 the sleeve portion 32 of the actuator member 30 has diametrically disposed radial window openings 40 formed therein of rectangular shape, see dotted lines at 40 in FIG. l, and which expose radially a pair of parallel fiat cam faces 42 formed on or carried rigidly by the bolster case neck portion 22. The

window openings 40 are occupied by circular-segmentshaped portions 44 (FIG. 2) of the brake shoes, present ing flat faces 4S into operative association with the cam faces 42.

Axially of the spindle assembly the openings 40 in sleeve portion 22 of the actuator are only slightly wider than the brake shoes 26 so that, assuming the actuator member 30 is suitably held against the topl face of the flange 12 of the bolster case, 'the shoes will thereby be prevented from making contact with the overhanging wall portion 19 of the brake drum at all times. A suitable holding means, detachable for disassembly, etc. is shown as comprising a snap ring 47 on the neck portion 22 of the bolster case for abutment with the top or axial face of the sleeve portion 32 of the actuator member. Clearance as at 48 is provided between the circular segment portions 44 of the brake shoes so that the faces 45 of the shoes will normally be in face to face contact with the cam faces 42 and not with the sleeve portion 32 of the actuator.

In operation, the manipulating handle 33 can be swung angularly about the spindle blade axis as will be evident from comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3 in either of two directions. When the actuator member 3i) is moved as illustrated in FIG. 3 the cam faces 4Z by engagement with the faces 4S of the brake shoes force the shoes outwardly against drum surface 18 to stop the spindle. The interrelationships of cam and cam-associated faces and the design (e.g. contractile strength) of the spring 38 are such that the spring can not return the actuator member 3i? to the off position of it illustrated in FiG. 2 without assistance. Any suitable abutments may be provided on the ange 12 of the bolster case for contact with the extension 33 to limit the angular movement of the actuator arm. One form of such limiting means will be described in reference to FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5 the top face of the bolster case ange 12 is intersected by a socket 50 extending arcuately about the spindle axis and a pin 51 suitably secured to the actuator body 31 extends downwardly freely into the socket Si). Pin 51 forms one abutment for a pair of springs S3 and 54 which are operatively in abutment with terminal portions 50 and 50 of the slot 5i). With that arrangement, when the actuator arm or extension 33 is moved in one direction before applying the brake, one of the springs S3 or 54 when fully compressed will act as a stop. If non-automatic return of the actuator 32 to off position is desired, the springs 53 and 54 are removed (or one of them is) in which case the abutments 50 and 50 will serve to limit the angular movement of the actuator but to a greater extent. The springs 53 or 54 can also be replaced by rigid slugs (not shown) in case the surfaces 50' and 50 would allow more than the desired actuator movement in applying the brake.

Usually the self return feature illustrated in FIG. 5 is desired when the present brake mechanism is adapted for example for conventional knee-actuation, via suitable linkage not shown, since otherwise retention of the braking mechanism in on position is more desirable since it leaves both hands of the operator or attendant free to manipulate the yarn package during the desired stopping periods.

I claim:

1. In a textile spindle, a bolster case, a blade rotatable in the bolster case and having an internal brake drum surface coaxial therewith, a pair of brake shoes disposed for braking contact with the drum surface, an actuator plate member having a circular sleeve portion telescoping a mating external circular surface of the bolster case for guiding the actuator member for angular movement about the blade axis, a pair of cam surfaces in fixed position on the bolster case diametrically of the drum surface for contact with cam-associated surfaces of the shoes, said sleeve portion having diametrically disposed radial openings outwardly exposing the cam surfaces for operating contact with the shoes, said cam-associated surfaces of the shoes normally occupying the radial openings for contact with respective cam surfaces, and means connecting the actuator member with each of the shoes for compelling simultaneous angular movement of said surfaces of the shoes into camming contact with respective cam surfaces whereby to thrust the shoes outwardly into braking contact with the drum surface.

2. The textile spindle according to claim 1 including a readily demountable axial positioning ring located for abutment with the sleeve portion of the actuator member axially opposite its support on the bolster case and cooperating with said radial openings to maintain the brake shoes against movement "axially of the blade away from the actuator member.

3. The textile spindle according to claim 1 wherein said means connecting the actuator member to the shoes comprises a pair of pins fixed to said member and disposed parallel to the blade axis and diametrically thereof, and the shoes are generally arcuate blocks whose circumferential extremities are located adjacent respective pins and having indentations therein occupied at least partially by the pins at all times.

4. The textile spindle of claim l wherein the peripherally external surfaces of the brake shoes are intersected by channels which intercommunicate circumferentially with each other, an annular tension spring occupying the channels in bridging relation to the two shoes, and abutment elements between the actuator member and bolster case limiting the angular movement of the actuator member out of a normal non-braking-position, the design of the cam surfaces, the cam-associated surfaces of the shoes and the disposition of the abutment elements being so interrelated that when the abutment elements are in mutual contact, the spring is ineffective to move the shoes out of braking contact with the drum surface.

5. The textile spindle according to claim 1 including spring means operatingly disposed between the actuator member and the bolster case and capable of moving the actuator member out of brake operating position toward a normal non-brake-operating position.

6. The textile spindle according to claim 5 wherein the spring means includes a pair of coil compression springs reacting oppositely on abutment surfaces of the bolster case and an abutment carried by the actuating member and disposed between the two springs.

7. The textile spindle according to claim 6 wherein the coil springs are removably mounted in position and, upon removal, render said abutment surfaces of the bolster case operative as stops to limit brake-applying movement of the actuator member.

8. In a textile spindle, a bolster case, a blade rotatable in the bolster case and having a brake drum surface coaxial therewith, a pair of brake shoes disposed for braking contact with the drum surface, an actuator member, means on the bolster case guiding the actuator member for angular movement about the blade axis, a pair of mutually parallel and approximately rectilinear cam surfaces in fixed position on the bolster case and disposed oppositely of each other relative to the drum surface for contact with cam-associated surfaces of the shoes, and means connecting the actuator member with each of the shoes for compelling simultaneous angular movement of said surfaces of the shoes into camming contact with respective cam surfaces whereby to move the shoes into rbraking contact with the drum surface.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,481,043 Sacchini Sept. 6, 1949 2,566,258 Sweet Aug. 28, 1951 2,966,025 Grundler Dec. 27, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 958,909 Germany Feb. 28, 1957 841,593 Great Britain July 20, 1960 

1. IN A TEXTILE SPINDLE, A BOLSTER CASE, A BLADE ROTATABLE IN THE BOLSTER CASE AND HAVING AN INTERNAL BRAKE DRUM SURFACE COAXIAL THEREWITH, A PAIR OF BRAKE SHOES DISPOSED FOR BRAKING CONTACT WITH THE DRUM SURFACE, AN ACTUATOR PLATE MEMBER HAVING A CIRCULAR SLEEVE PORTION TELESCOPING A MATING EXTERNAL CIRCULAR SURFACE OF THE BOLSTER CASE FOR GUIDING THE ACTUATOR MEMBER FOR ANGULAR MOVEMENT ABOUT THE BLADE AXIS, A PAIR OF CAM SURFACES IN FIXED POSITION ON THE BOLSTER CASE DIAMETRICALLY OF THE DRUM SURFACE FOR CONTACT WITH CAM-ASSOCIATED SURFACES OF THE SHOES, SAID SLEEVE PORTION HAVING DIAMETRICALLY DISPOSED RADIAL OPENINGS OUTWARDLY EXPOSING THE CAM SURFACES FOR OPERATING CONTACT WITH THE SHOES, SAID CAM-ASSOCIATED SURFACES OF THE SHOES NORMALLY OCCUPYING THE RADIAL OPENINGS FOR CONTACT WITH RESPECTIVE CAM SURFACES, AND MEANS CONNECTING THE ACTUATOR MEMBER WITH EACH OF THE SHOES FOR COMPELLING SIMULTANEOUS ANGULAR MOVEMENT OF SAID SURFACES OF THE SHOES INTO CAMMING CONTACT WITH RESPECTIVE CAM SURFACES WHEREBY TO THRUST THE SHOES OUTWARDLY INTO BRAKING CONTACT WITH THE DRUM SURFACE. 